Refrigerator



Deg. 15, 1931. R. E. OTTENHEIMER REFRIGERATOR Original Filed Jan. 31

who; Reuben 5 Wake/fiver,

Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATE$ REUBEN E. OTTENHEIMER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND REFRIGERATOR Application filed January 31, 1925, Serial No. 6,150. Renewed May 2, 1930.

This invention relates to refrigerators and particularly to a shelf intended primarily, but not exclusively for use in refrigerated display cases having a definite path of air circulation which it is desirable so to direct that it flows in a circuit over and across the shelf.

The purpose in so directing the circulation is two-fold. It keeps the cold circulatm ing air from flowing directly in contact with the walls of the refrigerator, and particularly in contact with the glass panels of show-cases when these are near to and above the shelf. Itthus reduces condensation on the outside of these walls or panels. Condensation is likely to occur wherever the walls of a refrigerator are maintained at a temperature below the dew point of the air in the room in which the refrigerator is used and in show-cases this defeats the display function of the case.

Furthermore, by confining the circulation to the portion of the case adjacent the shelf, the loss of refrigerative efiect incident to the I as frequent opening of the service doors, when these are near the top, is minimized. In a well designed case it is possible to remove the doors altogether during rush periods with only slight increase of temperature in the lower portion, of the case, and in fact some cases are used with an elevated service opening and no doors whatsoever. In all such cases my shelf is particularly useful.

The preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a shelf embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line '2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on the line.3--3 of Fi I2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentarysection, similar to Fig. 2, showing a slightly modified form of shelf;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section through a typical display case showing my improved'shelf in place and intended to illustrate its utilit The shelf is indicated generally by the .or may be rearwardly curved, as shown in so Fig. 4, or may be otherwise formed.

The shelf is preferably, but not in all cases necessarily stiffened by a series of pressed ribs 8 which are formed by ressing it in dies, and these ribs are prefera ly convex upward, as shown. Between these ribs the shelf is provided with a series of slots or elongated air ports 9 which, in the example chosen for illustration, are located adjacent the forward edge and hence partly beneath the inclined baffle 7.

While I refer to locate these air ports in the position shown in the drawings, other locations are possible and in certain types of case are preferable. In certain types of case the air ports may be omitted altogether, as in Fig. 4, and the baffle be used alone. Furthermore, even where the air ports are quite close to the front of the case, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, they may be made of any desired length and hence might extend for practically the entire length of the rib 8. The suggested variations being largely a matter of dimension, detailed illustration of all of them is considered unnecessar The purpose in forming the shelf wit the baffles, ports and ribs, as described, can be explained more clearly in connection with a typical installation in a case in which the circulation passes through the shelf, such as that shown in Fig. 5. Here we have a case having a bottom portion 10 slightly higher at its rear than at its front. The vertical partition 11 is mounted in the bottom portion so that its lower edge is above the floor of the case, and so that its upper edge is spaced from the top of the case to offer air ports through which air circulation may occur, as indicated by the arrows. Partition 11 is approximately two thirds of the distance from the front to the back of the case and shelf 6 spans the space from the partition 11 to the front of the case. Above shelf 6 is a glazed display case consisting of a frame structure 12 carrying a double glazed front transparent panel 13, glazed or other end panels 14, and overlapping glazed sliding doors 15 through which access is offered to the interior of the case.

For icing purposes a door or'a series of doors 16 is provided and gives access directly through the top to the space at the rear of the partition 11. In use, block ice is placed in the space to the rear of the partition 11 or a set of cooling coils may be there installed.

. When ice is used, crushed ice may, if desired,

be placed forward of the block ice in the space beneath the shelf 6. If this last he done, the layer of crushed ice should be of such depth that an air passage is left above it and beneath the shelf 6. The air circulates in the case illustrated rearward over the partition 1-1, then downward, then horizontall beneath the shelf, and then upward throng the slots or ports 9 in the shelf 6, the air thus flowing in a closed circuit in the bottom portion of-the case. The upstandin baflie or flange 7 performs the function of directing this air to the rear of the case as it rises through the shelf, and particularly it prevents the air rising through the ports 9 from flowing into contact with the front glazed panel 13. In show-cases having other circulating paths the baffle will perform a similar function. It should be noted that it is particularly effective in deflecting air which circulates' beneath the supported articles by way of the grooves between the ribs 8.

The ribs 8 not only stiffen the shelf. They also support platters containing the displayed articles, or if such platters are not used, they support the displayled articles themselves in such a way that t e air ports 9 can never be blinded. Even if the platter or the displayed article be laid directly over the ports 9, it will be so sustained above the main portion of the shelf 6 that air may flo'w up throu h the ports 9 and passin along the channels etween the ribs 8, may ow around the displayed article, and continue the nor mal circulation. The maintenance of circulation both over and under the refrigerated articles is highly desirable because 1n this way the best refrigerative effect is secured.

In cases of ordinary construction a number of shelf sections 6 arranged edge to edge areused, so that it is possible to remove the shelves for cleaning through the service openings and without removing the doors, if doors be used. The construction of the bafiie 7 integrally with the shelf 6 offers a convenient and inexpensive construction, and one susceptible of read cleaning. Since the baffle is carried by an hence removable with the the case forward of such baifle is accessible for easy cleaning.

The shelfis thus strong, light, inexpensive to construct, easily cleaned, and improves the action of refri erators and particularly refrigerated display cases in a decided degree. As suggested, variations from the exact structure illustrated may be made, and I do not limit myself exceptto the extent defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A shelf for supporting articles to be refrigerated by currents of air. said shelf being formed with alternating ribs and channels on its upper surface and having air ports extending through said shelf and opening into said channels; and a baiile mounted upon one edge of said shelf, overhanging a portion of said ports and serving to deflect air rising through said ports across said shelf.

2. A refrigerator shelf for supporting articles to be refrigerated by currents of air, said shelf being formed with a ribbed top surface, the ribs extending substantially to an edge of the shelf and an upwardly extending baffle mounted on said edge and overhanging a portion of the shelf, and serving to deflect air rising past said shelving across the same.

3. In a display refrigerator, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf, means to effect a circulation of cooling air in said chamber whereby to refrigerate articles supported on the shelf, means to deflect said air away from said panel; said shelf being formed with alternating ribs and channels on its upper surface and having ports extending through the shelf and opening into said channels for passage of cooling air through the shelf and between the shelf and articles supported thereby.

4. In a isplay refrigerator, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf, means to effect a circulation of cooling air in said chamber whereby to refrigerate articles supported on the shelf, said shelf being provided with ports, and a baflle mounted upon one edge thereof, overhangin a portion of said ports and serving to de ect air rising through said ports, across said shelf.

5. In a display refrigerator, a refrigerating compartment, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf, means to effect a circulation of cooling air in said chamber whereby to refrigerate articles supported on the shelf, said shelf being formed with a ribbed top surface,the ribs extending substantially to an edge of the shelf and an n wardly extending bafile mounted on said e ge and overhanging a portion of the shelf. thereby to deflect the air over said shelf as it leaves the refrigerating compartment.

6. In a display refrigerator, a food chamcooling air in said chamber, both below and above the shelf, means to permit passage of said circulating air upwardly through said shelf and means on said shelf to direct the air currents in a predetermined course. I

7. In a display refrigerator, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf in said chamber, means to effect a circulation of cooling air in said chamber, both below and above the shelf, means permitting circulation of the air currents from a point below the shelf to a point above the shelf upwardly, and means on said shelf to change the direction of the air currents thereby to direct same over said shelf.

8. In a display refrigerator, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf in said chamber, means to effect a circulation of cooling air in said chamber, both below and above the shelf, means permitting passage of air past said shelf at a point adjacent said panel, and means on said shelf to deflect the air currents away from the panel.

9. In a display refrigerator, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf in said chamber, means to effect a circulation of cooling air in said chamber, both below and above the shelf, means permitting circulation of the air currents through the shelf at a point adjacent said panel, and means on said shelf to deflect the air currents away from the panel.

10. In a display refrigerator, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf in said chamber, means to effect a circulation of cooling air in said chamber both above and below the shelf, comprising a refrigerating compartment at one end of the shelf and communicating with the spaces below and above the shelf and a baffle between said compartment and the shelf effective to guide thermosiphonic currents of air within the refrigerator, said shelf having an opening to permit "passage of said circulating air upwardly through the shelf and a bafiie on the end of the shelf furthest from said compartment to direct the air currents in a predetermined course.

11. In a displa refrigerator, a food chamber having a disp ay panel and a shelf in said chamber, means to effect a circulation of cool ing air in said chamber both above and below the shelf, comprising a refrigerating compartment at one end of the shelf and communicating with the spaces below and above the shelf and a bafile between said compartment and the shelf effective to guide thermosiphonic currents of air Within the refrigerator, said shelf having an opening to permit circulation of air from a point therebelow to a point thereabove, and a deflecting baflle spaced from said compartment to change the direction of the air currents over a predetermined course thereby to direct same over said shelf.

12. In a display refrigerator, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf in said chamber, means to effect a circulation of cooling air in said chamber both above and below the shelf comprising a refrigerating compartment at one end of the shelf and communicating with the spaces below and above the shelf and a baffle between said compartment and the shelf effective to guide thermo-siphonic currents of air within the refrigerator, said shelf having a baffle thereon located adjacent said panel to deflect said currents rising toward said panel away from the panel.

13. In a display refrigerator, a refrigerating compartment, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf in said chamber, means to effect a circulation of cooling air to said chamber both above and below the shelf, comprising a refrigerating compartment at one end of the shelf and communicating with the spaces below and above the shelf and a baffle between said compartment and the shelf effective to guide thermo-siphonic currents of air within the refrigerator, said shelf having an opening to permit circulation of the air currents through the shelf from the refrigerating compartment, and a baffle thereon located adjacent said panel to deflect said currents away from the panel.

14. In a display refrigerator, a refrigerating compartment, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf in said chamber, means to effect a circulation of cooling'air in said chamber both below and above the shelf, means to support articles on said shelf in spaced relation to the normal top surface of the shelf, means to permit passage of said circulating air from said compartment through said shelf, and means on said shelf to direct the air currents in a predetermined course. I

15. In a display refrigerator, a refrigerating compartment, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf in said chamber, means to effect a circulation of cooling air in said chamber, both below and above the shelf, means to support articles on said shelf in spaced relation to the normal top surface of the shelf, means permitting circulation of the air currents from a point below the shelf to a point above the shelf, and means on said shelf to change the direction of the air currents from said compartment thereby to direct same over said shelf.

16. In a display refrigerator, a refrigerating compartment, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf in said chamber,

and means on said shelf to deflect the air currents from said compartment away from the panel;

17 In a display refrigerator, a refrigerat- 5 ing compartment, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf in said chamber, means to effect a circulation of cooling air in said chamber, both below and above the shelf, means to support articles on said shelf in spaced relation to the normal top surface of the shelf, means permitting circulation of the air currents from said compartment through the shelf at a point adjacent said panel, and means on said shelf to deflect the an currents away from the panel.

18. In a display refrigerator, a refrigerating compartment, a food chamber having a display panel and a shelf in said chamber, means to effect a circulation of cooling air in said chamber, and means including said shelf to define a path for the circulating air through the case, away from the display panel and around articles supported on the shelf, and means to permit passage of said air from said compartment through the shelf. 19. A refrigerator shelf formed with a foraminous surface and a deflecting baflie lo cated at the edge of said surface, said baffle having a portion extending upwardly, inwardly and in overhanging relation to said foraminous surface, and serving to deflect air rising past said shelf, across the same..

20. A refrigerator having a food compartment and a shelf therein for support of foods, said shelf being formed with a foraminous surface and a deflecting baffle located at an edge thereof and having a portion extending upwardly and inwardly and in overhanging relation to said foraminous surface, and serving to deflect air rising past said shelf, across the same and means to effect a circulation of cgofing air in said compartment adjacent'said s e Intestimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

REUBEN E. OTTENHEIMER. 

